STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2013) — Legislation authored by State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) to reduce chronic school absenteeism passed the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development today by a unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 338 would require school corporations to determine contributing factors to absenteeism and establish chronic absence reduction plans. It also provides a 95-percent attendance rate requirement in order for students to receive a graduation waiver.

“Preparing students for success in education begins with increasing their school attendance and participation at an early age,” Kruse said. “Increasing attendance rates would not only improve academic performance, but it would also prepare students to be reliable, punctual employees in the workplace.”

The bill calls for public schools to record the number of students who are habitually truant and share this information in an annual report with the Department of Education. To ensure the accountability of these reports, SB 338 requires public schools to keep a daily attendance record open for inspection.

SB 338 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.